A BLAZE of colour filled the heavens above Kendal Castle as scores of unusually-shaped kites were flown during a two-day festival.

Hundreds of people turned out to see the skies above the central town landmark transformed into a kaleidoscope of colour.

The free event saw kites of all descriptions performing aerial acrobatics. There was a 16ft hippopotamus, flying dogs, super-sized fish and many more, all organised by SmileFactor10 and Kendal United Junior Football Club.

Event organiser Craig Harby, who attends kite festivals regularly, said he wanted to bring the joys of the event to his home town.

“I do it for smiles. If you get someone looking at your kite and smiling then that’s why you do it really,” said Mr Harby. “It’s one of those things you either enjoy or not. It's a peaceful thing flying a kite.”

Emma Whitanney, of Windermere, who was at the event with her eight-year-old son, Isaac, said: “It’s fab for the area to have something like this. It’s a really fun family day out.”

There was also a Kendal United two-day car boot sale where a selection of kites, air toys, novelties and balloons were available to buy and fly.

Other activities included a bouncy castle, face painting, children’s play area and a BMX track.

Proceeds from the kite extravaganza will go towards Kendal’s Junior Football Club.

Anyone with photographs from the day should send them to hello@smilefactor10.co.uk for a chance of winning a seven-foot delta flow tail kite.

CONGRATULATIONS to all our Easter Egg hunters. Once again the Easter Bunny visited the grounds of the Hotel and left 30 eggs hidden away amongst the flower beds. The Easter egg hunting team, some 15 hunters strong this year made short work of finding all the eggs, including the fantastic golden egg, special congratulations Georgie Madeley, The bunny also left Easter gifts for all egg hunters.

The bunny will be back next year, rumour has he may even have a special costume for the occasion.

Hope you all had a great Easter and have been enjoying the fine weather.

Is it too late for a William and Kate Scavenger Hunt this Friday?? possibly!!

Till next time enjoy your chocolate and practice your bunny bouncing for next year!!

THE Bassenthwaite Ospreys have moved home to live in marshes nearer to Bassenthwaite Lake.

After successfully nesting at their treetop summer home at Dodd Wood since 2008, the pair decided it was time for a change and have been gradually building a new nest since returning from their wintering grounds in West Africa.

Fortunately, the new site is visible from the Dodd Wood viewpoint so visitors can still enjoy watching the birds of prey this season.

Ospreys are normally faithful to successful nest sites, so the move was a bit of a shock for staff at the Lake District Osprey Project (LDOP). This is only the second time staff have seen the ospreys change nest in the project’s 11-year history.

Nathan Fox of the RSPB’s Lake District Osprey Project, said: ‘It has been an interesting and exciting start to the season, with the birds deciding to move. We have been working closely with local landowners and farmers to make sure that the birds are fully protected and therefore have a good chance of raising their chicks.”

A PAIR of ospreys have returned to their nesting site in the Lake District. The birds are back at Bassenthwaite Lake - 10 years after the first male osprey chose the area for a nesting site.The bird, known as No Ring, was the first to nest in the Lakes for 150 years. Experts say he has returned with the female he paired up with for the first time in 2007.

It is hoped the birds will rear an 11th generation of young after two male chicks were produced last year.

Graeme Prest of the Lake District Osprey Project said: "It is wonderful news that the ospreys have returned for another season and have already mated. With a bit of luck, the female will be laying her eggs soon.”

Almost 100 people are part of a volunteer project to provide 24-hour observation on the nest. They also engage with the public about ospreys at the Dodd Wood viewpoint and Whinlatter Visitor Centre.

The public Osprey Viewpoint at Dodd Wood, near Keswick, has been opened and telescopes are being provided to see the birds.

Live images from the nest are also being beamed to a big screen at the nearby Whinlatter visitor centre. The osprey project is managed by a partnership of the Forestry Commission, Lake District National Park Authority and the RSPB.

A POPULAR visitor attraction in Bowness is in the running for a prestigious award for excellence.

Blackwell, The Arts and Crafts House project by Lakeland Arts Trust – one of Britain's finest surviving arts and crafts house by M.H.Baillie Scott - has been shortlisted from hundreds of entries for an award at the national Museums and Heritage Awards for Excellence.

Comedienne and broadcaster Sue Perkins will announce the 11 lucky winners at a ceremony at Westminister on May 11.

The Awards applaud projects ranging from groundbreaking achievements of national institutions to those crafted with limited resources and budget and winners will be selected by a panel of judges including Diane Lees, Director General, Imperial War Museums and Sam Mullins, Director, London Transport Museum and other leading sector professionals.